City of Miami District 5 Commissioner Appointment
On yesterday evening (Tuesday, January 26, 2010) I had a chance to view some of the City of Miami’s Commission meeting to appoint a Commissioner for City of Miami District 5 commission seat which has been vacated due to the second suspension of Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones. I must say that we sho (with an Ebonics flavor conjuring up memories of momma-n-em) know how to act. Let me be clear as to say that it was not a good best behavior acting but one that says that we still have a ways to go. Now, I also must state that it was not all who displayed a less than distasteful performance on that revelatory decline of day. For there were some who knew how to articulate themselves with a passionate control that would not allow themselves to venture into barbaric borders; thus feeding, fueling and fanning the fire of those who possess less to no pigmentation as ours. I say that we as a people must do better at learning and applying techniques of expression that though we may be agitated and passionate about an item or topic we don’t go over the edge. We are better than that. There is a better way.
I could have gotten lost in the aforementioned display of the few who faltered in their attempt by voicing vehemently as oppose to voicing with a virtuous vigor without being excused from the chambers. There are some other paramount pictures that presented themselves on last night that need not be overshadowed by the display of the few (I mean no disrespect). I have just listed three and others when they step back will find that there are others to add to this list:
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The ongoing issues in District 5
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The hope in talented future leaders
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The condescending overtone
There are ongoing issues in district 5 that must be address. If you talk to 100 people in the district (please note that I said in the district) you will get about 200 different answers. There must be an assessment of the District to identify what are the issues that our newly appointed Commissioner is up against as well as future leadership. As a people we cannot assume that the change needed in this District will be accomplished overnight. This assessment will help to identify what are the issues as seen by the people who live, work, shop, and worship in this District. As well as it will begin to shape a District 5 Agenda. Now mind you the average person in the District may not be aware of all of the political wrangling that takes place from a City, County, State and Federal perspective therefore there is a trust that the person in the Commission for District 5 will help the Peoples Agenda get accomplished. The aforementioned is the development of this Peoples/District 5 Agenda from the inside out approach. However, in order to have a well rounded approach or view you must take into consideration the perspectives of others from the outside in. Yet, this outside in approach must not be more or equally weighted as the view from the people in the District.
On that Tuesday evening we also saw that there is hope for the District in the way of future leadership. Please note here that I did not say young (no disrespect). We witnessed that that there are other faces and voices that are ready to step up to the plate and provide leadership for the predominately minority community of District 5. However, even here there are challenges. How are our leaders chosen? Who selects them? Are they from among us? Are we identifying new talent and positioning them for the next tier of leadership? What are the opportunities for the young black and successful? So often within our community we get divided from those outside of our community as well as from within. This weakens the Peoples/District 5 Agenda. Not only is division a threat individual greed, self aggrandizement, jealousy, and a lack of trust, to mention a few, are viruses that have infected so many. Sadly to say the symptoms are unknown and are not easily detected by those infected and uninfected. I must also warn that these viruses are highly contagious if not careful the best of can become infected falling victim to the sad sophomoric outcome of these viruses. How do we guard against the tainted and how do we not become tainted? One thing for certain is that if there is no Peoples/District 5 Agenda, checking it off as we go along, there can’t be any accountability. I still saw on that Tuesday evening some hope.
As I watched the meeting it came across over the internet as though one of the Commissioners was condescending. I purposely withhold the name because you need to watch the meeting and watch it carefully as to gather you own conclusion. It was as if as though all the people of District 5 are non-working, lazy, thugs, non-dreamers, no vision, content with where they are, mooching, parasitic people. As if as though he had the answers for District 5. It was also as though there were no intelligence near District 5. I am offended and you should be too. He also had the audacity during the meeting to talk to the potential leaders as though he was a superior being. I also felt that he lost sight of the fact that he is a public servant. I say the following from experience. As a pastor, yes my position should bring me respect but I also give respect to those whom I give leadership to I am just a lead servant. Just because you are an elected official it does not give you the arbitrary right to act as though you are above. You have been elected to serve and because you are a Commissioner you are to work not just for your constituents but work along with the other Commissioners and for the constituents of all of Miami. When one part of Miami looks bad the whole of Miami looks bad we are interconnected whether you like it or not.
Servant of The Lord Jesus Christ,
Reverend Johnny L. Barber, II, Th.M.
Pastor, Mt. Sinai M.B. Church
